At Upstart, our digital-first culture empowers us to do our best work from wherever we thrive. During the holidays, that same flexibility helps us make space for both impact and connection. This season, two Upstarters share how being digital-first helps them balance meaningful work with meaningful moments.
Making the Most of Flexibility
For Shiva Sharan, a Senior Software Engineer on the Capital Markets team, digital-first work has reshaped how he experiences the holidays, and how he balances life and work all year long.
“The holidays are when my wife and I slow down and focus on family and reflection,” Shiva says. “Because Upstart embraces a digital-first culture, I can travel to see family without worrying about missing out on important work. I love that I can set my own rhythm, whether it’s joining a team sync from a different time zone or wrapping up projects before the holidays.”
That flexibility also allows Shiva to make meaningful progress on high-impact work, no matter where he is. During a recent trip to India for a family wedding, he was helping integrate Upstart’s conversion model into the pricing system.
“Even while traveling abroad, collaboration stayed effortless,” he says. “We coordinated through Slack and async updates, splitting the work so I could make progress during my day and hand it off to teammates in the U.S. time zone. That setup actually helped us move faster, since reviews and updates were happening almost around the clock.”
For Shiva, the trust and accountability that are core to Upstart’s culture are what make all the difference.
“There’s a shared understanding that people have lives outside of their laptops, and that balance helps us bring our best selves to work,” he says. “It’s rare to find a culture where flexibility is matched by accountability, and that balance is something I truly value.”
Finding Balance and Driving Impact
For Ayesha Khan, a Senior Customer Success Manager supporting Upstart’s Lending Partners, digital-first work has allowed her to balance a full and joyful life, as both a devoted mom and a long-tenured Upstarter.
“I’m a mom of three kids under six, all born during my time here,” Ayesha shares. “Upstart became an all-digital company while I was on maternity leave with my first child, and coming back to a flexible environment as a first-time mom changed everything.”
One of Ayesha’s favorite memories came during the 2020 holiday season, when she joined Upstart’s IPO celebration from home. "That first holiday season was extra special because I got to ring Upstart’s IPO bell with my eight-month-old son, Aadam,” she recalls. “Even though we were remote, it felt like we were standing side by side.”
Today, Ayesha brings that same energy and care to her work, focusing on building strong relationships and delivering high-impact results. Her thoughtful approach to digital-first work has strengthened those relationships and reinforced the trust she’s built with her partners.
In fact, during a recent trip to Pakistan, Ayesha kept her usual work schedule and later received glowing feedback from a stakeholder: “You kept similar hours to U.S. time zones and were present at every meeting. No one could tell if you were next door or halfway around the world!”. When asked how she felt about that feedback Ayesha shared, “It was only possible because my Upstart team made me feel supported and present.”
That kind of support has made it possible for Ayesha to continue to show up fully, both for her team and her family.“The flexibility at Upstart has been crucial as my family has grown. It’s allowed me to maintain my passion and dedication to work while successfully managing my personal life and family responsibilities.”
And for anyone joining a digital-first company, Ayesha’s advice is simple: “You’re joining a company that delivers exceptional digital experiences to its customers and you can trust Upstart to do the same for its employees.”
The Freedom to Thrive
Whether it’s putting the final touches on an end-of-year project or taking time to reconnect with loved ones, Upstarters agree that flexibility gives them the freedom to be fully present in work and in life.“We all want to do meaningful work,” Shiva says, “but we also want to be there for the moments that matter. Upstart makes both possible.”
At Upstart, we know time is one of the most valuable things we have. Through our digital-first approach, we create space for both impact and presence, not just during the holidays, but all year long.
Interested in joining a company that values flexibility and freedom to thrive wherever you are? Explore our open roles today!
- culture
- digital-first
